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Cross-industry collaboration, concerns over big tech firms,and independent media channels were among the key discussion points at the inaugural Cph:Summit, held on Monday, March 25 at Cph:dox.

The five-hour conference took place at Copenhagen’s Kunsthal Charlottenborg, curated by producer and broadcaster Mark Edwards, and hosted by Doc Society co-founder and co-director Beadie Finzi. It united documentary professionals with politicians, researchers and thought leaders to discuss the future of the audiovisual industry.Screen has collated the talking points from the afternoon.

Tech concerns

The most concerted applause of the day came for Matthias Pfeffer, director of think tank the Council for European Public Space,...

Stronger, bigger than ever amid global tensions, this year’s industry arm of the prestigious Cph:dox international documentary festival will be showcasing an exceptional program in Copenhagen between March 23-28. For the first time ever, an annual Summit will bring together global thinkers, politicians, researchers and documentary professionals for an overview of trends and critical issues in documentary filmmaking. Inspiring talks will spill over the five-day Cph:conference, dedicated to new paradigms, while 30 projects from 26 countries will be pitched to more than 350 decision-makers and distributors at the Cph:forum.

We spoke to Mara Gourd-Mercado, head of industry and training, and Katrine Kiilgaard, managing director of Cph:dox, on the eve of Cph:Industry.

This year’s Cph:dox will be held under extreme tension politically, with Europe being challenged in its core values, while the world of documentary continues to grapple with the shifting media landscape. How do you feel about hosting Cph:dox Industry under such extraordinary circumstances?...

Copenhagen documentary festival Cph:dox is set to launch a Summit in partnership with Documentary Campus and the Danish Producers’ Assn. on March 24.

The Summit will bring together politicians, thought leaders and film and TV professionals to discuss the future of the industry. It aims to make possible “cross-sector dialogues, enabling key decision-makers to address pressing issues in documentary filmmaking and audiovisual media, and their crucial role in shaping public discourse,” according to a statement.

The event, curated by producer and media consultant Mark Edwards, is open to all accredited guests.

“Discussions will explore how documentary films move beyond conveying facts to foster emotional connections with audiences and deepen public understanding of critical global issues,” the festival said. “Ensuring access to diverse and authentic storytelling will be highlighted as essential to supporting democratic engagement in a polarized world.”

The Summit will also consider media accessibility as a human right and explore...

Cph:dox has added a Summit event to its 2025 industry offering, to enable ‘critical discussions about the future of the industry’.

The Cph:dox Summit will take place on March 24 from 12.30-17.30 Cet, at the Social Cinema of Copenhagen’s Kunsthal Charlottenborg, as part of the Cph:Industry offering.

The event will feature discussions on ‘how documentary films can move beyond conveying facts to foster emotional connections with audiences and deepen public understanding of critical global issues’, according to the festival.

The programme has been curated by Paris-based independent producer Mark Edwards, who has worked at Netflix as director of European feature documentaries; and at Arte France.

On Thursday 2 January 2025, ITV broadcasts Vera!

The Dark Wives Season 14 Episode 2 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of Vera on ITV, titled “The Dark Wives,” marks the compelling final chapter in the crime drama as Dci Vera Stanhope, played by Brenda Blethyn, bids farewell to viewers. In this emotional and gripping conclusion, Vera faces one of her most personal cases yet.

The investigation begins with the violent killing of a student, whose body is discovered at the foot of three mythical monoliths. As Vera delves deeper into the case, a missing girl also comes into focus, leading her to uncover connections that trigger memories from her own childhood. As the investigation unfolds, Vera’s past and present collide, making this final episode a powerful and poignant end to the series. Fans can expect a tense, emotional journey as Vera uncovers the truth, all while grappling with her own memories.

What Time...

On Wednesday 1 January 2025, ITV broadcasts Vera!

Inside Season 14 Episode 1 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Vera,” titled “Inside,” promises to be another gripping installment in the popular detective series. Set to air on ITV, this episode features Dci Vera Stanhope as she tackles not one, but two complex cases. The story begins when the body of an ex-prisoner is found on the banks of the River Tyne, raising immediate questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.

As Vera investigates, she must unravel the mystery of whether the former inmate was a victim of cold justice or if there are deeper issues at play. The episode delves into themes of justice, redemption, and the shadows of the past. Vera’s keen intuition and determination will be put to the test as she navigates through layers of deception and hidden truths.

Fans of the series can expect the usual mix of suspense and character development,...

The anticipation for the new episode of “Vera” is building as Season 14 continues its gripping journey. Episode 2, titled “The Dark Wives,” promises to deliver a heart-wrenching and intense narrative. This episode marks a significant moment in the series as it leads towards the final chapter of the beloved crime drama, featuring the talented Brenda Blethyn in her iconic role as Dci Vera Stanhope.

In this episode, a shocking crime sets the stage. A student is found brutally killed and left at the base of three mythical monoliths. The discovery sends shockwaves through the community, and Vera is drawn into the investigation. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a connection to a missing girl, raising the stakes even higher. The case not only challenges Vera’s investigative skills but also stirs up memories from her own childhood, adding a personal layer to the unfolding drama.

Viewers can expect a mix of...

Season 14 of “Vera” begins with a gripping new episode titled “Inside,” airing at 9:00 Pm on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, on ITV. Dci Vera Stanhope is back, and this time, she faces a complex case when the body of an ex-prisoner is discovered on the banks of the River Tyne. As always, Vera must dig deeper to uncover the truth behind the man’s death. Was the former inmate a victim of cold justice, or is there more to his death than meets the eye?

Vera’s investigation takes her down a dark path, filled with twists and turns, as she pieces together the details of the victim’s life and past. With her sharp mind and unflinching determination, Vera uncovers secrets that some people would rather keep buried. As the investigation unfolds, Vera’s dogged pursuit of the truth leads her to confront difficult questions about justice and the lengths some...

While the fourteenth and final season of the ITV mystery series Vera will arrive next year, one of its major cast members has some emotional news regarding filming. As Digital Spy reported, Riley Jones, who has played DC Mark Edwards since the series began, recently took to his official X account to voice out how he felt about shooting his final scenes on the show, prompting similarly touching reactions from fans.

ITV has confirmed that the fourteenth series of Vera will be the last. The details of the show ending are right here.

Brenda Blethyn’s career has been prolific, from playing timid librarian Alison opposite Simon Callow in Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen’s wonderful 1980s sitcom Chance In A Million to her BAFTA winning turn as Cynthia in Mike Leigh’s 1996 film Secrets And Lies.

For over a decade, Blethyn has played the softly spoken yet dogged detective Vera Stanhope, created by author Ann Cleeves.

Stanhope, always kitted out in her trusty trenchcoat and hat, and her team, who include DC Joe Ashworth (David Leon), Kenmy Lockhart (Jon Morrison), DC Mark Edwards (Riley Jones) and DS Aiden Heady (Kenny Doughty) solve crimes in and around Northumberland.

ITV has now confirmed that the 14th series of Vera will be the last, though.

In a statement to the channel, Blethyn said,...

Asajj Ventress is a multifaceted Star Wars character with a dark past and complex relationships. Ventress has reinvented herself as a bounty hunter, surviving into the Dark Times of the Empire's reign. This cosplay perfectly captures Ventress' tenacity and cunning, wielding her signature red lightsabers.

This fantastic Star Wars cosplay celebrates the menacing power of former Sith assassin Asajj Ventress, one of the franchise’s most complex characters. Though Asajj Ventress had previously appeared in Star Wars Legends comics and Genndy Tartakovsky’s 2D animated version of The Clone Wars, in which she fought an intricate battle with the one and only Anakin Skywalker, the character was later confirmed in canon when she was introduced in the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie. Soon, Ventress became a staple of The Clone Wars series, fighting for and against Count Dooku, the Jedi, and, most importantly, herself.

Cosplayer Hannah, also known as Hanime’s Cosplay,...

ITV unwraps a special gift for crime drama enthusiasts with “Vera: The Rising Tide – Christmas Special 2023,” airing on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 8:00 Pm. In this holiday-themed episode of the gripping series, the indomitable Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, portrayed by the incomparable Brenda Blethyn, delves into a mysterious case that adds a layer of intrigue to the festive season.

The narrative unfolds with the apparent suicide of a disgraced television personality, propelling Vera to Holy Island to untangle the enigma surrounding the tragic incident. As viewers settle in for a post-Christmas treat, they can anticipate the trademark intensity and astute detective work that have become synonymous with the “Vera” series.

Tune in at 8:00 Pm for a riveting Christmas special that combines the allure of holiday coziness with the suspense of a crime drama. “Vera: The Rising Tide” is poised to deliver a perfect blend of mystery and festive spirit,...

Streaming

Blue Ant Media and World of Wonder have launch free, ad-supported streaming TV (Fast) channel Drag Race Universe on Amazon Freevee in the U.S.

Programming launch highlights on the Drag Race Universe channel include: “Canada’s Drag Race” seasons 2 and 3 (19 x 60’), “RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K. vs The World” (6 x 60’), “RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K.” seasons 2 and 3 (20 x 60’). “Drag Race Holland” (8 x 60’), “Drag Race Espana” (10 x 60’), “RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” seasons 1 and 2 (16 x 60’), the first season of “Drag Race Philippines” (10 x 60’) and “Drag Race Philippines Untucked” (10 x 30’), its companion series that follows the backstage drama.

Additional international series in the franchise that will roll out on the free-streaming channel over the coming months include “Drag Race France” (8 x 60’) and “Drag Race Italia” (8 x 60’).

Jamie Schouela, president, global channels and media, Blue Ant Media, said: “Expanding the reach of Drag Race Universe builds on our partnership with World of Wonder and...

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The influence and the impact of 2018’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” reverberates far beyond the Oscar-winning superhero adventure’s upcoming sequel: Both of DreamWorks Animation’s current Best Animated Feature contenders traffic in the type of 2D experimentation that was ushered into the mainstream by Miles Morales and his fellow web slingers. For the heist comedy “The Bad Guys,” the studio went with the look of an illustrated book. Meanwhile, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” — which finds the fearless feline from the “Shrek” franchise (Antonio Banderas) battling mortality after burning through the first eight of his nine lives — sports a painterly vibe in keeping with its fairy tale trappings.

“At DreamWorks, we had ‘Bad Guys’ pushing in one way, and we went in a different direction, all leading into expanding the toolbox,” “The Last Wish” director Joel Crawford told IndieWire. “So we benefited from some of their R&d and vice versa,...

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is an astounding animated triumph, a movie that looks (and more importantly feels) much different than 2011’s “Puss in Boots” (a spin-off from the “Shrek” franchise). It’s gorgeously animated too, employing a unique visual style that director Joel Crawford described as a “fairy tale painting look.” And if you’re wondering just how they pulled it off, we’ve got some exclusive videos on the making of the movie.

This time around Puss in Boots (voiced once again by Antonio Banderas) realizes he is on the last of his nine lives. This sets the ridiculously high stakes and sends him on a quest to find a wishing star, to restore his other lives. Of course, there are some villains on his tail (including Florence Pugh as Goldilocks and John Mulaney as “Big” Jack Horner), making his adventure much more difficult than the self-described...

Mix two royals, five Michelin-star chefs and one grand country house and you have a recipe for the ultimate summer date night. Princess Kate and Prince William stepped out on Wednesday for a gala evening hosted by their friends, the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, at the aristocrats' stately home, Houghton Hall. Leaving their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at their nearby country house, Anmer Hall, the royal parents drove the four miles to Houghton Hall for the evening of entertainment and fine dining. Kate, in a dazzling Jenny Packham rewear from 2011, suggested William was looking forward to a...